Teaching data analytics is a passion. Two key strategies guide my approach to creating effective and engaging learning experiences: in-class engagement and feedback-centric design.
In-class Engagement with Chocolate
Using chocolate and candy as tangible learning tools makes abstract data concepts concrete and memorable for students. These hands-on activities transform the classroom into an interactive environment where students learn by doing.
Candy Shop Database Exercise
Students establish their own candy shops and update transactions in poorly designed databases. This exercise demonstrates firsthand the problems with data redundancy, update anomalies, and the importance of proper database normalization.
Chocolate Jars
Physical chocolate jars are used to demonstrate sampling, binomial distribution, and the Gini impurity index. Students draw samples and calculate probabilities using real data, bridging the gap between statistical theory and practical application.
Chocolate Decision Tree
A physical chocolate tree activity where students build and traverse decision trees for computing the Gini Impurity Index. By physically sorting chocolates based on attributes, students gain an intuitive understanding of how decision tree algorithms split data.
Real Estate Data Activities
In-class activities using real Zillow data to teach data analysis concepts. These exercises were presented at the SIGDSA 2021 conference, demonstrating the effectiveness of using authentic datasets in the classroom.
Feedback-Centric Design
Effective learning requires timely, meaningful feedback. My course design centers around maximizing the quality and frequency of feedback students receive on their work.
Original Labs and Assignments
All labs and assignments are created from scratch rather than sourced from textbook publishers. This approach minimizes the opportunity for academic dishonesty and ensures that each assignment is specifically tailored to the learning objectives of the course.
Varied Assignments
Assignments are varied both within and between semesters. By regularly refreshing assignment content, students engage with novel problems each term, promoting genuine learning rather than rote reproduction of previous solutions.
Automation for Timely Feedback
Custom automation tools enable the creation of frequent assignments while ensuring students receive timely feedback. This technology-enhanced approach allows for more practice opportunities without sacrificing the quality or speed of instructor response.